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to surface.”
    “Which apparently were true, Mom.”
    “Yes, which apparently were true. Everyone talked about how Serena was going to kick serious ass over us.”
    “Don’t say ‘ass’ mom, it’s vulgar. But seriously, how did you keep it a secret?”
    “I have no idea. I was sick and terrified. So much was riding on us getting to the Olympics. Another four years and I would almost be too old, and your father, of course, would be ancient. The clock was ticking. Nationals were in the Twin Cities that year.”
    “Enemy territory.”
    “It certainly felt that way. I’d never been so scared in my life. I almost didn’t get on the plane in Nashville. But my desire to go to the Olympics was stronger than any fear I had, plus, given the money involved, there was no way my parents were going to let me skip.” Looking at her daughter, Izzy realized that Jenna was wrapped in the story.
    “The first day, with the short program, we did very well, and we were behind Serena and her partner by a tenth of a point. But the crowd was so cold. I was miserable and I think it showed. Serena, well, this was her town, her people. Everyone, including the judges, loved her. The second day of Nationals, the long program, we were ready, or as ready as we could be, since your father and I had never performed our long program for an audience before. That was a long day. The other pairs did really well. The scores were very tight. Then Serena’s turn.” Izzy stared at the ceiling, as if watching the routine there. “My coach never let me watch other teams skate at a competition, so I didn’t see it. The crowd seemed to love them, though. Serena was still one of the very best. Just as he lifted her to do the throw triple loop, something happened. His shoulder snapped or something just as he was throwing her. She landed hard.”
    “Holy crap…I mean, holy carp.”
    Izzy smiled. Something we taught her together, Jason. Using the word ‘carp’ instead of ‘crap.’ All our Southern sensibilities boiled into one word. “Serena was fine, a little bruised, but her partner was really hurt. Oh, and the drama! There she was on one of the biggest figure skating stages, and she threw this monumental tantrum, and stormed off the ice. He just laid there, holding his arm. The paramedics had to help him off.”
    “So much for the Twin Cities’ sweetheart.”
    “The mood in the room changed in that instant. By the time they got the guy off the ice, cleaned things up, the audience was actually really interested in seeing us. You could feel it. All we had to do was skate clean and we’d be fine.”
    “Did you?”
    It was the most perfect moment I’d ever had on the ice. “Oh Jenna, it was beautiful. It was that perfect, perfect moment when two people realize they’re going to do something that will bind them together forever. It was…magic. I didn’t feel sick; we did every step, every element spot on. The crowd got louder and louder and by the end the place was in an uproar. Flowers…people tossed hundreds of flowers on the ice. That was rare for me, you know I’m allergic to most flowers and my fans knew not to throw them after I skated. I suppose the flowers were meant for Serena, but no one threw any after her skate. And after it was over, your dad lifted me in the air and kissed me there on the ice.”
    “Didn’t that shock everyone?”
    “Not in the audience. Skating fans love that romantic storyline, and it wasn’t a super passionate kiss. But our parents, the coaches, and most importantly, the judges raised eyebrows.”
    “So what, then you went to the Olympics?”
    “Well, we won Nationals. But I knew that by the time we got to the Olympics, I would need a maternity costume. It simply wasn’t possible.” Izzy glanced at Jenna, praying her daughter wouldn’t ask the obvious question.
    “You didn’t think about getting an abortion?”
    Jason begged me, my parents begged me to do it. “Sweetie, that simply wasn’t an